Derry Minors set up Dublin semi-final after easy win over Galway

Derry 1-13

Galway 0-4

Derry eased their way to the last four of the All-Ireland series with victory over All-Ireland champions Galway on Saturday in Carrick on Shannon.

The Oakleafers now face Dublin in the semi-final as they chase the dream of a fifth lifting of the Tom Markham Cup.

It was a win built on the industry of Johnny McGuckian, Cahir Spiers and Eamon Young in a first half that saw Damian McErlain’s side go in 1-5 to 0-2 ahead.

It was Derry who started the much brighter team. Spiers put the Ulster champions ahead and setup up Oisin Doherty who made it 0-2 to 0-1.

Brian O’Malley hit the champions’ opener before Derry took off once again. Fionn McEldowney and Johnny McGuckian were involved in a fine Young score.

With 14 minutes gone, Young hit the net. A ball into Conall Higgins broke loose and Young goalkeeper Walsh no chance, putting Derry 1-3 to 0-1.

Charlie Cox hit the only other Galway score of the half, but it was Derry who took a deserving 1-5 to 0-2 interval lead.

Johnny McGuckian won a free for a Dillon point at the start of the second half and added a point himself as Derry took control of the game once again.

Galway lost Ross Coen to a black card – after his earlier booking – and they were down to 14 men against a controlled Derry.

Spiers, Dillon and substitute Dara McGuckin added scores as Derry eased into the last four.

Derry: Jack McCloy; Fionn McEldowney, Finbar Murray, Luke Grant; Cahir Spiers (0-2), James Sargent,  Odhran Campbell; Cahal McKaigue, Tommy Rogers; Eamon Young (1-3), Rory Small, Johnny McGuckian (0-1); Ger Dillon (0-5, 4f), Conall Higgins, Oisin Doherty (0-1)
Subs: Darach McGonigle for L Grant (43), Kevin B Mullan for T Rogers (47), Lee O’Neill for O Doherty (56), Dara McGuckin (0-1) for J Sargent (58), D McNamee for C Higgins (59)

Galway: Cillian Walsh; Tiarnán Proulx, Vinny Gill, Seán O’Flynn; Olan Kelly, Ross Coen, Brian O’Malley (0-1); Shay McGlinchey, Stephen O’Grady; Michael Mulryan, Ciarán Mulhern (0-1f), Ruairí Walkin; Charlie Cox (0-2, 1f), Ciarán McDonagh, Daniel Fitzmaurice

Subs: Conor McNally for R Walkin (INJ 25), Padraic Faherty for S O’Grady (41), Fionán Ó Conghaile for C McDonagh (43), Seán Rhattigan for B O’Malley (52), Cillian Gannon for D Fitzmaurice (56)

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)